Bachelor of Natural Medicine Course Prescriptors
Year 1 – Semester 1
Anatomy & Physiology 1 (Level 5, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (on-campus or on-line). As a level 5 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives:
This course, the first of two in Anatomy and Physiology, is about the structure and function of the human body. After learning the basics of the cell and tissue types, the focus will move to body systems: the integumentary (the skin), muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems, and special senses.
Learning Outcomes
- Explores basic anatomical and directional terminology
- Explains homeostatic principles and processes
- Describes fundamental concepts and principles of cell biology and histology
- Explains the structure, functions and homeostatic mechanisms of the integumentary system
- Explains the structure, functions and homeostatic mechanisms of the skeletal system
- Explains the structure, functions and homeostatic mechanisms of the muscular system
- Explains the structure, functions and homeostatic mechanisms of the nervous system
Principles and Philosophy of Natural Medicine (Level 5, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (on-campus or on-line). As a level 5 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
This course will introduce students to the principles, philosophy, practices, and history of natural medicine. The physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of the body, concepts of holistic health, divergent belief systems of healthcare and a range of world views will be explored.
Learning Outcomes
- Explores the principles, philosophy and history of natural medicine
- Explores the theories of holistic health about physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellness
- Discusses natural medicine practice in the context of the New Zealand health system
- Examines contentious topics that may impact state of health
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Foundations of Research (Level 5, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (on-campus or on-line). As a level 5 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
In this course, students will have opportunities to locate, analyse, and interpret information. They will learn how to present information and argue their view in a logical and coherent way and to reference correctly. They will be introduced to research, its constraints and dilemmas and will learn the critical skills needed to become research consumers.
Learning Outcomes
- Develops study skills and academic writing
- Develops skills in information retrieval
- Identifies hierarchies of evidence, constraints and dilemmas of healthcare research and implications for practice
- Analyses research publications
- Explores ethical issues in research
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Herbal Medicine 1 (Level 5, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (on-campus or on-line). As a level 5 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
In this course students explore the principles and the goals of Herbal Medicine. They will learn the practical skills of plant identification, cultivation, harvesting and manufacturing, as well as studying a range of herbs, their actions, dosage and contraindications, and safe application in clinical practice.
Learning Outcomes
- Understands the principles and goals of herbal medicine to support the body’s healing processes
- Demonstrates a knowledge of how to grow, harvest, process and appropriately store plant material for the manufacture of medicines
- Identifies a range of herbs, their main medicinal actions, contraindications, dosage and safe prescribing
- Explores the energetics and traditional use of herbal medicine
- Demonstrates good safety practices in a range of simple herbal manufacturing processes
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Year 1 – Semester 2
Anatomy & Physiology 2 (Level 5, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (on-campus or on-line). As a level 5 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
This course, the second of two in Anatomy and Physiology, focuses on the structure and function of the digestive, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, renal, reproductive systems, and human development.
Learning Outcomes
- Explains the structure, functions and homeostatic mechanisms of the digestive system
- Explains the structure, functions and homeostatic mechanisms of the endocrine system
- Explains the structure, functions and homeostatic mechanisms of the cardiovascular system
- Explains the structure, functions and homeostatic mechanisms of the lymphatic and immune systems
- Explains the structure, functions and homeostatic mechanisms of the respiratory system
- Explains the structure, functions and homeostatic mechanisms of the urinary system
- Explains the structure, functions and homeostatic mechanisms of the male and female reproductive systems
Herbal Medicine 2 (Level 5, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (on-campus or on-line). As a level 5 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
In this course students will continue to learn the practical skills of plant identification, cultivation, harvesting, processing and manufacturing as well as studying a range of herbs, historical use, current research, their actions, dosage and contraindications, and safe application in clinical practice. New Zealand native herbs and their traditional and modern applications will be studied.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrates knowledge of how to grow, harvest, process and appropriately store plant material for the manufacture of medicines
- Identifies a range of herbs, their medicinal actions, their contraindications, dosage and safe prescribing
- Identifies the levels of evidence for the current use of herbal medicine
- Explores the energetics and traditional use of herbal medicine
- Demonstrates good safety practices in a range of simple herbal manufacturing processes
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Rongoā Māori Healing Concepts (Level 6, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (either on-campus or on-line). As a level 6 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour and a half of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
This course explores Māori healing concepts as they were applied pre- and post-colonisation. It reviews contemporary practice and considers the future potential of Rongoā Māori.
Learning Outcomes
- Explores a Māori worldview in relation to Māori healing practices
- Analyses the impact associated with the loss of Māori healing knowledge and experience
- Explores current Māori healing practices in New Zealand
- Presents work to an appropriate standard and demonstrate academic integrity
Biochemistry of Foods (Level 5, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (on-campus or on-line). As a level 5 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
In this course students will have an opportunity to learn the structure, function, biological properties, food sources and health benefits of the macronutrients – carbohydrates, proteins and lipids and their associated sub-groups. The major biochemical pathways of macronutrients will be explored.
Learning Outcomes
- Develops knowledge and understanding of macronutrients
- Develops an understanding of the relationship of the macronutrients to nutrition
- Describes the biochemical pathways of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids at cellular level in the body
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Year 2 – Semester 1
Pathophysiology 1 (Level 6, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (either on-campus or on-line). As a level 6 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour and a half of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
This is one of two courses where students will build on their knowledge and comprehension of the aetiology and pathophysiology of diseases and syndromes of the immune, digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous systems. There will be an emphasis on diseases which are common in New Zealand and are seen in natural medicine clinics.
Learning Outcomes
- Discusses pathophysiological aspects of microbiology, inflammation, and a range of immune disorders
- Discusses pathophysiologic aspects of cancer
- Discusses pathophysiological aspects of a range of digestive disorders
- Discusses pathophysiological aspects of a range of respiratory disorders
- Discusses pathophysiological aspects of a range of cardiovascular disorders
- Discusses pathophysiological aspects of a range of nervous system disorders
Nutrition 1 (Level 6, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (either on-campus or on-line). As a level 6 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour and a half of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
In this course, students will have opportunities to research vitamins and minerals: their structure and functions, food sources, the recommended daily intakes and their importance in human nutrition. Deficiency and toxicity signs and symptoms will be addressed as will supplementation and dietary recommendations and drug/nutrient interactions.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyses the functions of vitamins in the body and evaluates their food sources
- Analyses the functions of minerals in the body and evaluates their food sources
- Investigates nutritional medicines and the efficacy of the forms of vitamins
- Investigates nutritional medicines and the efficacy of the forms of minerals
- Analyses the dietary intake of individuals and identifies shortcomings and deficiencies
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy (Level 6, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (either on-campus or on-line). As a level 6 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour and a half of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
In this course, students will study the pharmacology of herbal medicines and major pharmaceutical drug groups prescribed in New Zealand and the appropriate management of herb/drug/nutrient interactions. Their absorption, metabolism, excretion, and potential risks will be analysed. Quality control of herbal medicines, pharmacognosy and ethical issues will be critiqued, as will the manufacturing practices of nutritional supplements.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyses the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the active constituents of a range of herbal medicines and pharmaceutical drug groups
- Researches major phytopharmacological compounds
- Critiques quality control and manufacturing procedures in the preparation of herbal medicines and nutritional supplements
- Explores sustainable practices relevant to herbal medicine
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Therapeutics 1 (Level 6, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (either on-campus or on-line). As a level 6 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour and a half of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
This is one of two courses where students will integrate their knowledge and applied research skills in planning and managing appropriate holistic naturopathic treatments for a range of common health conditions. The digestive, nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems will be covered. Professional issues of safety and the advantages and limitations of naturopathic health care treatments will be evaluated.
Learning Outcomes
- Identifies appropriate naturopathic treatments for a range of health conditions affecting the digestive system
- Identifies appropriate naturopathic treatments for a range of diseases and health conditions affecting the cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems
- Justifies decisions for selecting holistic naturopathic treatments
- Demonstrates understanding and application of safe and appropriate treatments within scope of practice
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Year 2 – Semester 2
Pathophysiology 2 (Level 6, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (either on-campus or on-line). As a level 6 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour and a half of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
The second of two courses, students will build on their knowledge and comprehension of the aetiology and pathophysiology of diseases and syndromes of haematology, the endocrine, integumentary, genito-urinary and musculoskeletal systems. There will be an emphasis on diseases which are common in New Zealand and are seen in natural medicine clinics.
Learning Outcomes
- Discusses pathophysiological aspects of endocrine disorders
- Discusses pathophysiological aspects of stress
- Discusses pathophysiological aspects of obesity and diabetes
- Discusses pathophysiological aspects of integumentary disorders
- Discusses pathophysiological aspects of urinary disorders
- Discusses pathophysiological aspects of reproductive disorders
- Discusses pathophysiological aspects of haematologic disorders
- Discusses pathophysiological aspects of musculoskeletal disorders
Nutrition 2 (Level 7, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (either on-campus or on-line). As a level 7 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional two hours of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
In this course students will evaluate current research in clinical nutrition.
The nutritional needs of specific age, life cycle stages and gender groups will be assessed. Students will investigate food technologies, additives, toxins and pathogens; the factors leading to food intolerances and food allergies and naturopathic theory and practices of detoxification.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyses the dietary needs of specific groups
- Designs appropriate nutritional programmes
- Analyses dietary trends
- Designs a nutritional detoxification programme
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Managing a Professional Practice (Level 6, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (either on-campus or on-line). As a level 6 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour and a half of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
Students will develop their business skills and strategies needed to launch a successful clinical practice. Professional responsibilities and the current political situation regarding registration and product regulation will be evaluated. Ethical issues, relevant legal Acts and risk management in a clinical situation will be explored.
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluates contemporary practice
- Develops a successful business and marketing plan
- Analyses ethical and safety issues pertaining to clinical practice
- Critically evaluates implications of legislation and the current political situation to clinical practice
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Therapeutics 2 (Level 7, 15 credits)
Four hours of course work per week (either on-campus or on-line). As a level 7 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional two hours of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
This is the second of two courses where students will integrate their knowledge and applied research skills in planning and managing appropriate holistic naturopathic treatments for a range of common health conditions. The endocrine, integumentary, genito-urinary and musculoskeletal systems will be covered. Professional issues of safety and the advantages and limitations of naturopathic health care treatments will be evaluated.
Learning Outcomes
- Researches appropriate treatments for a range of common health conditions
- Justifies decisions for selecting holistic naturopathic treatments
- Ensures safe and appropriate treatments within current scope of practice
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Year 3 – Semester 1
Massage (Level 5, 15 credits)
Available on-campus only. Four hours of course work per week. As a level 5 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
In this practical course, students will be given an opportunity to learn professional and ethical therapeutic massage. Case-history taking skills and safety issues will be practised including contraindications of massage and risk management, and dealing with clients in a safe and professional manner.
Learning Outcomes
- Relates therapeutic massage techniques to the physical structure of the body
- Gathers health information and identifies individual needs
- Identifies and demonstrates respect, cultural safety and ethical behaviour
- Demonstrates appropriate and competent massage techniques
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Differential Diagnosis and Physical Examination (Level 7, 15 credits)
Available on-campus only. Four hours of course work per week. As a level 7 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional two hours of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
This course enables students to establish an accurate client assessment that includes case-history and working diagnosis and that demonstrates ethical behaviour. Opportunities will be provided for students to develop a working knowledge of diagnostic examination techniques and differential diagnosis within scope of practice.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrates a safe, culturally sensitive, ethical and competent approach when dealing with clients
- Displays proficiency in collecting and interpreting data on the vital signs
- Displays proficiency in collecting and interpreting data on the head and neck
- Displays proficiency in collecting and interpreting data on the thorax and lungs
- Displays proficiency in collecting and interpreting data on the cardiovascular system
- Displays proficiency in collecting and interpreting data on the abdomen
- Displays proficiency in collecting and interpreting data on the neurological system
- Displays proficiency in collecting and interpreting data on the musculoskeletal system
- Demonstrates skills in analysing and interpreting information to perform a differential diagnosis
Pre-Clinic (Level 7, 15 credits)
Available on-campus only. Four hours of course work per week. As a level 7 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional two hours of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
In this course students will begin to integrate their clinical problem-solving and technical skills in order to practice safely and independently within appropriate scopes and limits of practice and with reference to current evidence. Students will formulate relevant and safe treatment procedures to address the client’s health – including effective communication; case history taking; formulating a naturopathic working diagnosis based on sound medical and natural medicine procedures and research; appropriate prescribing; referring and advising; maintaining good client records; time management and managing continuing client care.
Learning Outcomes
- Develops professional skills to administer practical aspects of clinic management
- Demonstrates an understanding of the therapeutic relationship in clinical practice
- Demonstrates thorough case taking and record keeping procedures to build a coherent picture of the client’s health, including potential risks
- Critically analyses and integrates healthcare information to formulate a health plan incorporating current research
- Integrates and justifies relevant content knowledge
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Clinical Practice 1 (Level 7, 15 credits)
Available on-campus only. Four hours of course work per week. As a level 7 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional two hours of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
In this clinic-based practical course students will be responsible for managing a clinic. They will apply their professional skills in both the art and the science of holistic healing; synthesising the theoretical and practical knowledge, collecting, analysing and integrating healthcare information for the benefit of the clients they will treat in the clinic. They will build on their skills, apply critical reasoning to their treatment decisions and use their clinical decision-making skills in client management with reference to current research. Professional skills of presenting case studies for publication and research participation will be developed.
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrates professional skills to administer practical aspects of Clinic management
- Demonstrates professional conduct and clear risk management practices
- Critically analyses and integrates healthcare information to formulate a health plan incorporating current research
- Critically analyses current research on a range of topics
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Year 3 – Semester 2
Mind and Body (Level 6, 15 credits)
Available on-campus only. Four hours of course work per week. As a level 6 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional hour and a half of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
In this course students will explore the relationships between the physical body, the emotions, the mind, and spiritual beliefs. They will be encouraged to think about disease and reasons for disease beyond physical manifestations. The grief process and impact of life changing events may have on individuals will be explored. Students will read and research literature on prominent mindbody modalities.
Learning Outcomes
- Explores the relationships between the mind, body and spirit in healing
- Analyses a range of MindBody modalities
- Explores the emotional effects of serious health issues and life events
- Analyses current MindBody literature
- Presents work to appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Clinical Practice 2, 3, 4 (Three Level 7 courses, 15 credits each)
Available on-campus only. Twelve hours of clinic-based work per week, including some late nights. As Level 7 course, for every hour of course time students are expected to engage in an additional two hours of self-directed learning. Further time commitment may be needed at times of assessment.
Course Objectives
In these clinic-based practical courses students will be responsible for managing a clinic. They will apply their professional skills in both the art and the science of holistic healing, synthesising the theoretical and practical knowledge, collecting, analysing and integrating healthcare information for the benefit of the clients they will treat in the clinic. They will build on their skills, apply critical reasoning to their treatment decisions and use their clinical decision-making skills in client management with reference to current research. Professional skills of presenting case studies for publication and research participation will be developed.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrates competence and accountability as a natural medicine student practitioner for all aspects of professional practice, including ethical, legal, cultural and clinical safety
- Communicates effectively with clients and in a clinical context
- Demonstrates intuitive interpersonal skills in partnership with the client to treat holistically
- Demonstrates clear risk management practices
- Critically analyses and integrates healthcare information to formulate a health plan incorporating current research
- Contributes to College research activities
- Presents work to an appropriate standard and demonstrates academic integrity
Bachelor of Natural Medicine – How it weaves together
The Bachelor of Natural Medicine offers courses in science and the healing arts, to cover modern evidence-based practice underpinned by naturopathic philosophy. Naturopathic philosophy defines the way naturopaths and medical herbalists practise.
The foundations of naturopathic Philosophy are taught in Principles and Philosophy of Natural Medicine and reinforced throughout the degree.
Foundations of Research teaches basic academic skills alongside the skills of consuming clinical research, essential throughout the whole degree. Herbal knowledge is taught in Herbal Medicine 1 and 2.
Rongoā Māori Healing Concepts provides a unique and valuable perspective of health and healing.
Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 provide the basis of knowledge on how the body functions, built upon in Year Two in Pathophysiology 1 and 2, with the study of abnormal function – illness and disease.
Biochemistry of Foods outlines the biochemical processes underpinning the study of nutrition, expanded upon in the second year through Nutrition 1 and 2. Herbal medicine and nutrition are applied in Therapeutics 1 and 2, where students look at specific conditions from a naturopathic perspective.
Safety is of paramount importance in clinical practice, so Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy focuses upon biochemical processes in the body and how herbs and nutrients might interact with pharmaceutical medicines.
Learning how to transform naturopathy/herbal medicine knowledge into running a business is addressed in Managing a Professional Practice. A further course focussed on safety is Differential Diagnosis and Physical Examination which has a medical emphasis, to ensure that new practitioners will recognise any serious conditions which need referral.
Massage and MindBody, which looks into the mind-body connection and the effect it has on health are taught in the final year. PreClinic prepares students for clinical practice from very practical procedures to the clinical reasoning of cases.
There are four Clinical Practice courses based in our Paua Clinic where students see clients and bring together all their prior knowledge to build confidence, and become safe and competent. When students begin their clinical practice, their feedback confirms that they realise the relevance of each of the courses in the degree and how they all come together to complete their learning.
